Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
What, I ask myself, would I be tempted to do in current circumstances were I Governor of the state of Wisconsin?
My answer is straightforward. I would be inclined to play hardball. To begin with, I would not give an inch. The struggle in Wisconsin is less about Scott Walker’s proposal with regard to contributions to pensions and healthcare insurance than about the capacity of the public-sector unions in the future to enforce their will on the Badger State first at the ballot box and then in contract negotiations. By shutting down the schools, the teachers’ unions have demonstrated their power – and, if the people of Wisconsin are to be masters in their own house, that power must now be broken. So I would stand my ground and call their bluff. I would wait for the delinquents in the state senate to return from their self-imposed exile in Illinois. In their absence, there will be no budget; and, in the absence of a budget, the salaries of those in the public-sector unions will in due course go unpaid. Scott Walker holds all the cards.
In the meantime, I would have a lawyer on my staff review the contracts binding those who teach in the Badger State’s public schools. There is no doubt provision in these contracts – explicit or implicit – for sick leave. My bet is that to be awarded sick leave one must, indeed, be ill and that the school can ask for proof. My further bet is that, in the absence of proof, the delinquent can be dismissed for breach of contract. That is what would be done with regard to workers in the private sector who lied to their employer in such a case, and that is where I would start.
Some of the teachers will no doubt be able to supply notes from medical doctors testifying to illness on their part. There have been reports that in attendance at the rallies at the state capitol in Madison were medical doctors handing out such notes promiscuously to all and sundry. The local schools should collect these notes and sort them. Should a certain physician be discovered to be a supplier to one and all, there should be a malpractice investigation and the errant physician should be removed from the roles of those licensed to practice medicine in the Badger State.
Finally, there is the question of the state senators who are playing hookey. As I have learned from reading the ChicagoBoyz blog, there is provision within the constitution of the state of Wisconsin for a recall of legislators. Article XIII, Section 12 stipulates that “The qualified electors of the state of any congressional, judicial or legislative district or of a county may petition for the recall of any incumbent elective officer after the first year of the term for which the incumbent was elected.” This leaves some state senators temporarily exempt from recall, but those elected in 2008 (a Democratic year) are already vulnerable, and State Senator Jim Holperin (D-The Tilted Kilt), who won his seat in a squeaker with 51% of the vote that year, is in the latter group. All it takes to force a recall election is a petition signed by voters in his district equal in number to one-quarter of those in the district who voted in the 2010 gubernatorial election. The Tea Party should put Holperin and those of his colleagues who were elected through this ordeal. If the Republicans pick up only one of these seats, they will themselves make up a quorum in the state senate.
The longer this pot boils, the better. American voters tend to have short memories. But the Cheeseheads of Wisconsin will remember in 2012 what happened in 2011. Even more to the point, what happens in Wisconsin will go a long way towards determining what takes place in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Without these states – all of which he won in 2008 – Barack Obama cannot be re-elected President.
UPDATE: It looks as if the physicians handing out doctor's excuses come from the University of Wisconsin in Madison's Department of Family Medicine. In an interview, Dr. Kathy Oriel, who is Director of the Madison Residency Program has gone public about what they are doing. Read this entire post: http://punditpress.blogspot.com/2011/02/university-of-wisconsin-department-of.html. There is trouble a-brewin'.
- Comment (39)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (5)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
May '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
Excellently put.
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
For evidence about the MDs, see http://althouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/so-youre-really-providing-real-doctors.html and http://maciverinstitute.com/2011/02/fake-doctors-notes-being-handed-out-at-wisconsin-gov-union-rally/.
Edited on February 20, 2011 at 10:34pmDec '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
There's a better way to play hardball: The 3/5ths quorum rule only applies to fiscal bills. Therefore, this is the time to pursue non-fiscal matters and shove them on the state Senate agenda. Make sure they are agenda items that are popular, but only opposed by Democrat power.
My first proposal, as suggested by many other bloggers, is Voter ID. Put in an ironclad Voter ID law. Take a day to debate it, vote on it, send it to the other chamber and pick something else.
Oct '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
Time for a Reagan-Patco moment. What I'd like to see done, if the squishes are up to it, is a unilateral de-certification of the teachers union for violation of their agreement with the state, followed immediately, once there is a quorum, by adoption of a full cost voucher system for the students. The school would receive a voucher for each child, determined by that child's parents or guardians. Government schools would receive the voucher amount, and not a dime more, and so would any accredited school, whether religious or private. No favorites!
If the parents desire a more expensive education for their kids, they can do what the rest of us in the country have always had to do... pay for the difference themselves. Well, that isn't exactly how it works for those of us who chose private schools... we also get to pay the school tax so the unions and Democrats can prosper.
Edited on February 20, 2011 at 8:24pmOct '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
What a great idea!!! Better than I can imagine.
AmishDude: There's a better way to play hardball: The 3/5ths quorum rule only applies to fiscal bills. Therefore, this is the time to pursue non-fiscal matters and shove them on the state Senate agenda. Make sure they are agenda items that are popular, but only opposed by Democrat power.
My first proposal, as suggested by many other bloggers, is Voter ID. Put in an ironclad Voter ID law. Take a day to debate it, vote on it, send it to the other chamber and pick something else. · Feb 20 at 11:17am
May '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
AmishDude: There's a better way to play hardball: The 3/5ths quorum rule only applies to fiscal bills. Therefore, this is the time to pursue non-fiscal matters and shove them on the state Senate agenda. Make sure they are agenda items that are popular, but only opposed by Democrat power.
My first proposal, as suggested by many other bloggers, is Voter ID. Put in an ironclad Voter ID law. Take a day to debate it, vote on it, send it to the other chamber and pick something else. · Feb 20 at 11:17am
Totally brilliant!
May '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
How about school choice? Would that work?
Dec '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
AmishDude: There's a better way to play hardball: The 3/5ths quorum rule only applies to fiscal bills. Therefore, this is the time to pursue non-fiscal matters and shove them on the state Senate agenda. Make sure they are agenda items that are popular, but only opposed by Democrat power.
My first proposal, as suggested by many other bloggers, is Voter ID. Put in an ironclad Voter ID law. Take a day to debate it, vote on it, send it to the other chamber and pick something else. · Feb 20 at 11:17am
That's the ticket! Make the Democrats pay for blocking the budget by failing to block a slew of other measures they hate.
I saw - sorry, forgot the source - someone suggesting that the Governor could furlough the Dem Senators' staffs, since the Senators' absence from the State and its business indicates that their staffs have no State business to support.
Sep '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
If you really want to annoy them try to table legislation to make the singing of God Save the Queen mandatory at the beginning of each day. That should keep the ACLU tied up in knots for awhile.
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
The suggestions made above are terrific -- and by no means incompatible with what I suggested.
May '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
My own hopes for Wisconsin are mostly related to Ohio - as you noted, my state's Senate is likely to be influenced by the backbone (or lack thereof) shown in Wisconsin.
Ohio's Senate GOP, not known for rock-solid conservatism, is already showing signs of squishing out:
"While there is much in the bill I think is good, there are some things I think are decidedly a bridge too far," said Sen. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati. He said the bill gives management too much power."
I also agree that drawing this conversation out is a mistake on the unions' part. I'm doing all I can to highlight what a racket public unions are, as are other conservatives in Ohio. Taxpayers may initially feel sorry for government workers, but the longer and louder they demand more of us the less support they're going to see!
Sep '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
Riffing on this theme, other opportunities would be:
Jan '11
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
This is a far better "dream" than your last one, Doctor.
These are the kinds of actions that I have been urging - aggressive, in-your-face and with the intent of maintaining the initiative. Do them all.
And here's one more thing. As soon as this crisis with the Democrats and their allies is resolved in Wisconsin, even if it is resolved by their total capitulation, on the very next day Walker should introduce a new series of measures and demands aimed at eviscerating Democrat power in the state.
Keep 'em running.
"When the people see a strong horse and a weak horse, they are naturally drawn to the strong horse.
"If you're not on offense, you're on defense."
Elect no Democrat anywhere, ever.
Oct '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
Isn't the Wisconsin legislature meeting in a special session for the purpose of addressing employee contracts? If true, the legislature is prohibited by law from conducting other business.
Dec '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
This is not the time to be confrontational. Fighting the union directly now, giving them another talking point, making them appear to be the victims of a vindictive governor/legislature can only help their position.
Don't even touch education or labor until the Dems return. When they return, defeated, is when you address vouchers, etc.
This is the time to play judo. Don't attack, use their momentum against them.
Dec '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
Stuart Creque
I saw - sorry, forgot the source - someone suggesting that the Governor could furlough the Dem Senators' staffs, since the Senators' absence from the State and its business indicates that their staffs have no State business to support. · Feb 20 at 11:35am
Bad idea. Again, it's confrontational when we don't have to be right now. They are losing. Don't allow them to gain a talking point about the poor staffers who didn't do anything to deserve...you know the meme.
The truly powerful prince has no need for retribution.
One key to the voter ID thing is that it divides liberals' attention. They often win by wearing down the public. They protest and strike and shout until giving them what they want is the path of least resistence.
If your method of political persuasion is the protest, then you can win at most one victory at a time because if you protest too many things, the public just views you as perpetually indignant.
Dec '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
You're right, it's not at all incompatible, but let the smaller institutions take care of the teachers who use fradulent doctors' notes. For example, a school district could require proof that the teacher had an appointment with the doctor (proof of copay or request for payment from the doctor would be sufficient, and the insurance companies would surely be involved in fraud from the latter) and the medical boards should go after the doctors.
If they don't, that's OK, the governor shouldn't even address it. I think the medical profession will have sufficient incentive to police their own. The whole notion of a doctor's note is predicated on the notion that the doctor has the highest integrety. Shatter that and the medical profession suffers greatly.
Edited on February 20, 2011 at 9:50pmDec '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
That may be a problem, then. I'm not up on the ins and outs of Wisconsin law and the machinations of the legislature.
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
Wow. I'm late to this string, but I hope Scott Walker reads Ricochet. Paul Rahe, Amish Dude, Raycon, Matthew Osborn--all of you: You've got the smarts of Karl Rove and the will to win of....let's see. Oh, I know. You've got the will to win of Ulysses Grant. It's a pleasure to watch you think.
Oct '10
Re: Wisconsin: Turning the Tables
The Wisconsin legislature are in special sessions to consider bills AB11 & SB11, so all other actions are required to be germane. The good news is that Wisconsin law allows special sessions to run concurrent with regular sessions. The next regular session is scheduled to commence next Tuesday, 22 Feb 2011.
If the missing legislators are reading this, I'm sure we'll see them back on Tuesday.